EURO qualification: Draw for Vargas, Demirović celebrates narrow victory

First international round-up

The first international break of the season is already in full swing, with all eyes on the qualifying games for EURO 2024. A home-grown FCA talent meanwhile impressed as the match-winner.

On Saturday evening, Ruben Vargas played 63 minutes as the Swiss national team visited Kosovo. Despite leading twice, his side had to settle for a draw after conceding an injury-time equaliser. Nevertheless, Switzerland remain undefeated at the top of Group I. On Tuesday (20:45 CEST), they host Andorra.

Ermedin Demirović’s Bosnia and Herzegovina side are still in with a chance of reaching the finals after a narrow 2-1 victory over Liechtenstein. The FCA captain started on the left flank and was substituted in injury time. These three points leave the Bosnians just four off second with five matches still to play. On Monday (20:45 CEST), they go to Iceland in search of another victory.

The third FCA player who was involved in EURO qualification action was Tomáš Koubek. The 31-year-old goalkeeper sat on the bench for Czechia’s two 1-1 draws against Albania (Thursday) and Hungary (Sunday). They currently sit second in Group E.

Kömür scores the winner

In the Germany U19 side’s friendly against England last week, FCA home-grown talent Mert Kömür netted the winner with his first goal for the team. On Tuesday (11:00 CEST), they will take on Switzerland in another international match in Oliva Nova, Spain.

New signing Tim Breithaupt also represented Germany on Friday. The 21-year-old came on at half time of the U21 side’s 2-0 win over Ukraine and will also hope to appear in their EURO qualification match in Kosovo on Tuesday (19:00 CEST).

The other FCA players on international duty are Arne Engels, who will meet Kazakhstan on Monday (20:00 CEST) with Belgium U21s, and Dion Beljo, who is going to the Faroe Islands with Croatia U21 on Tuesday (19:00 CEST).